Author's Note: Fluff, fluff, fluff (also some talk of sex hehe)! This story has a couple of chapters left until the end, so stay tuned! ;)


It had been a couple of days since Denny's heart had to be shocked due to the fast heart rate. I had cried every night and Denny was always there to soothe me, to reassure me that everything will work out. He said that things would have to get worse before it could get better, but how worse could it get? It was already bad as it is and the LVAD wasn't doing its job to the best of its ability.

"What are you thinking about?" He asks, shaking me out of my thoughts.

"It's just – I can't remember when I had a good night sleep and I'm pretty sure you don't remember either. I just want you to be okay. I keep staring at the door hoping Dr. Burke will walk in with some good news."

"Jess… I've waited five years for this heart. I can wait a bit longer."

"But you don't know if you're getting a heart, Denny."

"Where's my optimistic girlfriend?"

"She heard you scream in pain. She witnessed your doctors having to shock your heart in order for it to stabilize."

Denny sighs, taking my hand instantly in his. I couldn't lie down with him. If I did, I knew I would break down again and he didn't need that. He needed me to remain positive but how can I when the sounds of his pained screams echoed in my mind?

"I'm going to be okay, Jess."

"Don't start with that, Denny."

"No, you listen. It's my turn now, okay? Afterwards, it'll be your turn. It'll keep me from yelling."

I sigh, sitting at the edge of his bed. He looks up at me, gently reaching up to tuck a fallen strand of hair behind my ear. He always told me how much he loved my eyes and that pieces of my hair would simply get in the way of him looking at my 'beauty'. He could be such a hopeless romantic sometimes.

"I will be okay. If I get the heart, great! If I don't, that's fine. I have been fighting this for the past five years and when I look in the mirror, I have no idea who is staring right back at me, Jess. I see a weak man. I can't even recognize myself anymore. What I'm saying is – Remain hopeful, but think realistically."

"How can I remain hopeful but at the same time, think realistically?"

Denny shakes his head. "It's not your turn yet."

I playfully roll my eyes, seeing him crack a small smile.

"I will be okay as long as I've got you by my side. Okay, okay. Now it's your turn," Denny says.

"I just don't want to lose you. With everything happening from Nate to Kate and then your heart needing to be shocked… It's tough. I want to think positive, Denny, believe me I do. I just don't want you in any more pain."

"It's nothing I'm not used to, Jess. It hurts like hell, yeah, but if it's going to keep my alive, then so be it. I'll handle the pain just as long as I get to hold you in my arms for another day."

I blush and Denny takes notice.

"You can be really cute sometimes," I reply.

"Correction: All the time."

We both begin to laugh and he gently tugs me to lie next to him. I rest my head against the crook of his neck, snuggling against him and taking in his warmth. I know that when the silence takes over the room, we are both thinking.

It is a dangerous place to be stuck in your own thoughts when you were in a hospital with a heart condition.

"You should really get some sleep. I can see the bags growing under your eyes," Denny points out.

I shake my head almost instantly. "No way. Not until things settle down for a bit. We've had a rough week. Sleep can wait."

"Wouldn't you rather sleep willingly rather than just all of a sudden, pass out?"

"Denny… I'm not going to sleep."

"I'm fine, Jess. Rest your eyes. Even for an hour. I'll be here."

"I know you'll be here. That isn't what I'm afraid of." I drop my eyes, avoiding his gaze.

"You're scared you'll wake up and I'll be gone, figuratively of course."

Slowly, I nod.

"That won't happen unless you're a damn heavy sleeper. Now, get some rest."

"Fine, fine. But you better wake me up if something happens."

Denny nods, kissing my forehead. "You'll be the first to know."

I stare at him for a few moments before finally allowing my eyes to fall shut. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep for more than an hour, but Denny was right. I needed to sleep.

After about an hour, I wake up and instantly tighten my arms around Denny to make sure he was still here. His body was still warm and I sigh in relief.

"You okay?" He asks quietly.

I open my eyes, looking up at him. His hazel eyes stare into my own and I smile, leaning up to give him a peck on the lips unexpectedly.

"What was that for?" Denny asks.

"I missed you," I reply.

"You were asleep for an hour."

"You've got a cute face. What can I say?"

"So, I guess it's safe to assume that you weren't dreaming of me?" Denny pouts playfully.

I laugh in response, "Why do I need to dream of you when I've got you in real life?"

"You're missing the point, Jess."

"Then help me understand."

"Just figured – you know – you'd have a dirty dream about me or something," Denny grins.

I shake my head; I should have known this was where it would lead to. I look into his eyes and smile mischievously.

"Just because I didn't dream about you just now doesn't mean I never have before," I tease.

"Oh, now you've got me interested."

"Nope. You're going to let your imagination run wild because you think it's okay to make fun of me," I grin.

Denny widens his eyes, shaking his head. "What? I was only joking. Jess, come on!"

"How about you guess what I've dreamt about before and I'll answer if you're right or wrong."

He narrows his eyes questioningly.

"Will you be honest with your answers?"

I nod, biting my lower lip. "Of course! Just as long as you promise me that you won't get too worked up."

"Well, I can't promise that, but I can promise that I'll be okay," Denny says.

"… Okay. I've got the nurse's button handy just in case. Go for it," I reply.

"All right. So, you have had a dirty dream about me?"

"Once or twice, yes," I answer nonchalantly.

I see Denny shift on the bed. It was different when he was teasing me rather than knowing the truth.

"About what?" He asks.

"Well, how am I supposed to answer if you ask me a question that requires a full-fledged explanation?"

"Fine, okay. Fine," he says.

I bite my lower lip. Surely, he would be able to guess what kinds of dirty dreams I've had about him. Denny was aware of how good looking he was.

"Were you on your knees?" He asks.

I arch a brow. "Not technically."

Denny narrows his eyes. "Was I on my knees?"

"Again, not technically."

"This isn't fair," he pouts.

I laugh quietly, cupping his cheek gently.

"You're smart. Think about it, Denny. And I'm pretty sure you aren't a virgin, so I know there are other ways to do what I could do on my knees."

"Oh my god, Jess. No way…" Denny says.

"You thinking of a number?" I tease.

"Y – Yes. Yes, I'm thinking of a number! Are you even into that?"

"I guess we'll find out when it happens, huh?" I lean in to kiss his cheek, smiling once I pull away.

"I'm getting impatient. I want that damn heart now."

I giggle quietly, resting my cheek back against his shoulder. He holds me tighter to his side.

"In my dreams, you're really good." I tell him.

He smirks, "It's a good thing you won't be disappointed when we finally have sex then."

Dr. Karev walks into the room after a few hours. Denny was sleeping and I was simply stroking his hair back away from his face. He told me that it helped calm him down.

"Still with him?" Dr. Karev asks. He had tried hitting on me when I first started to stay with Denny, but I paid no attention to it.

"Hell yeah I'm still with him. Why?"

Dr. Karev chuckles, looking over the binder that was placed at the end of Denny's bed. He writes down a few things before his gaze turns to me.

"Nothin'. I'm available just in case you change your mind," he winks.

I roll my eyes playfully. "Sorry. You're not my type."

He scoffs, letting out an amused chuckle.

"Go ahead. Play hard to get. It just makes it more fun for me," Dr. Karev says.

"You'll simply waste your time. Now, is everything okay with Denny?"

Dr. Karev slips out of his playboy façade to answer my question about Denny's condition, "His vitals are stable. Dr. Burke is overseeing a patient right now, but I think he's going to stop by afterwards. Probably to make sure I did a good job with checking Denny's vitals."

"Ah. So, what you're saying is Dr. Burke doesn't trust your medical knowledge, is that it?" I tease.

Dr. Karev narrows his eyes. "Keep acting sassy. It only makes me like you even more."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Alex." I tell him, nodding in his direction once he leaves the room.

Dr. Burke was going to stop by later today. I had to wonder if he had good or bad news; I was hoping for the former.

I continue stroking Denny's hair back before he begins to grunt, bringing a hand to rub the sleep from his eyes. I smile, leaning down to kiss his cheek before he lets a small smile line his lips.

When his eyes open to look up at me, his smile drops.

I furrow a brow.

"Everything all right?" I ask.

"You know, I'm the jealous type," he says sleepily.

"What?"

"You and Dr. Karev…" Denny continues.

"Really?" I ask.

"You know he's into you. I know he's into you. Why do you urge him to continue?"

"Denny, you don't have to be jealous."

"Why not? He's the one who's healthy."

"Denny –"

"I'm not in the mood to argue right now, Jess."

"Well, good, because we aren't. Now, stop it," I tell him, cupping his cheek.

He looks at me and I see the look of irritation and insecurity through his eyes. Slowly, I lean forward to press my lips against his. Denny sighs against me, holding me closer to his body. I allow our lips to slowly move against one another; Denny always surprised me with how good of a kisser he was.

After a few moments, I pull away and he looks at me with an apologetic look.

"Again, he isn't and never will be my type, Denny."

"Why? You like sick, feeble men? You don't dig healthy guys?"

"Nope. I like my men with the prettiest eyes that have this natural twinkle in them. I like my men with a bit of scruff, slightly shaggy hair, and my god, don't even get me started on the dimples…"

Denny slowly begins to smile.

"I love you, Denny. There's no other man out there for me. I've got him right where I want him," I continue.

"On a hospital bed?" He teases.

"No, you dork."

Denny chuckles, kissing my forehead.

"I'm just teasing."

"I know. You do that a lot," I smile.

Before our conversation could continue, Dr. Burke walks into the room with the biggest smile I have ever seen on his face.

It was good news. I could feel it.

"Well, Denny Duquette… I think we've found you a heart."